Would the Indianapolis Colts be willing to make a trade at quarterback? ESPN recently brought up that idea.
Would the Indianapolis Colts be willing to trade either Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson later this summer?
That was an idea brought up by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, who covers the Pittsburgh Steelers, when discussing the team’s future quarterback situation.
With Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers have their quarterback for 2025, but what about 2026 and beyond? Among the options that Pryor discussed for the Steelers were drafting a quarterback next April or attempting to address the need in free agency again next offseason.
Pryor then mentioned that quarterbacks could become available via releases or trades once 53-man rosters begin to take shape. At which point, Richardson and Jones entered the conversation.
“Other quarterbacks, though, could become available in releases or trades,” wrote Pryor. “Anthony Richardson Sr., Indianapolis’ other quarterback and its 2023 first-round pick, is competing with Jones for the starting job. Whoever comes in second could be available.”
Regardless of who wins the Colts‘ starting quarterback job, I just do not see the team trading the other player.
If Richardson wins and is the Week 1 starter, the Colts will still want Jones on the roster as an option, given Richardson’s up-and-down play up to this point, along with him having dealt with injuries.
If Jones wins the job, it’s not a given that he’s going to operate at a high enough level throughout the season. So, having Richardson as a secondary option in this scenario gives the Colts a backup plan.
Also, even if Richardson doesn’t win the job, I don’t believe that the Colts will decide his future with the team in late August. If Jones ends up playing the majority of the snaps in 2025, those conversations around what’s next for Richardson will take place in the upcoming offseason instead.
